Median rhomboid glossitis: a clinical and microbiological study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between median rhomboid glossitis (MRG) and Candida and bacteria species, prevalence and possible association with age, gender, smoking, denture wearing, and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Tongue examinations were performed on 4244 consecutive patients. Of all the examined patients, 30 diagnosed with MRG were selected as the study group and another 30 patients were selected as the control group, and these 2 groups were compared in terms of age and gender. Tongue cultures from these 60 patients were subjected to bacterial and mycological examinations. RESULTS: MRG frequency was detected to be 0.7%. In mycological examination, Candida species were determined in 90.0% of the MRG patients and in 46.6% of the control group. This difference was statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that diabetes mellitus and 20-39 years of age were significantly related to MRG. However, the association between MRG, gender, smoking, and 40-69 years of age was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that although there was a significant association between MRG, Candida and diabetes mellitus, the possible risk factors such as gender, smoking, and denture wearing for oral candidiasis were invalid for MRG.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the oral cavity: a case report.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a tumor of skeletal muscle origin, is the most common soft tissue sarcoma encountered in childhood and adolescence. The common sites of occurrence are the head and neck region, genitourinary tract, retroperitonium, and, to a lesser extent, the extremities. In the head and neck region, the most commonly affected sites are the orbit, paranasal sinuses, soft tissues of the cheek, and the neck. RMS is relatively uncommon in the oral cavity, and the involvement of the jaws is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of oral RMS in a 13-year-old child and describe the clinical, radiological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings.

Evaluation of volumetry and density of mandibular symphysis bone grafts by three-dimensional computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Bone grafting before implant placing can improve the treatment in traumatized or regular implant patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the density and maximum amount of harvestable bone graft in the mandibular symphysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 15 CT-scans were obtained from 15 adult patients (10 male/five female) for the purposes of this study. The CT data, in DICOM format, were read into Mimics software from Materialize (Leuven, Belgium), with a slice thickness of 0.5 mm. The volume, density, and dimensions based on Hounsfield units (HU) were measured on the 3D symphyseal bone graft using Mimics software. RESULTS: The average bone volume calculated from the mandibular symphysis was 3491.08 +/- 772.12 mm(3). The average sized corticocancellous block that was measured was 38.75 x 11.05 x 7.80 mm. The mean bone density was 958.95 +/- 98.11 HU. CONCLUSION: The use of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) in combination with a software program is a reliable means of determining the density of graft, evaluating maximal volume and dimensions of the graft that can be harvested from the mandibular symphysis region.

The frequency and characteristics of idiopathic osteosclerosis and condensing osteitis lesions in a Turkish patient population.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) and condensing osteitis (CO) in a Turkish patient population, considering factors such as age and sex of the population, in addition to shape and localization, as well as the dental relationship between IO and CO lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using panoramic radiographs of 6,154 patients ranging in age from 5 to 69 years old, who had been subjected to dental treatment. Descriptive characteristics of radiopacities, including shape, localization and dental relationship were recorded. The Chi-squared test was used. RESULTS: A total of 238 radiopacities were detected, which included 185 IO lesions in 150 (2.44 %) subjects (96 female, 54 male and mean age: 26.2), and 53 CO lesions in 50 (0.81 %) subjects (27 female, 23 male and mean age: 32.8). Both IO and CO lesions were found to be higher in number among females, as compared to males. However, this difference was statistically significant for IO lesions only (p<0.001). The frequency of IO lesions was found to be significantly higher in the 3rd and 4th decades of life (20-39 years) than in other decades (p<0.001). On the other hand, the frequency with which the CO lesions were detected was similar in ages ranging between 20-39 and 40-69 years old, and its frequency in these periods was noted to be statistically higher than in the 1st and 2nd decades of life (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results point to the low IO and CO frequency among the Turkish population. In addition, our findings support the theory that IO lesions are developmental variations of normal bone architecture unrelated to a local stimulant, whereas CO lesions could be considered reactive formations related to teeth with severe caries, restoration or pulpitis.

Prevalence of the pneumatized articular eminence in the temporal bone.

OBJECTIVES: The pneumatized articular eminence (PAT) of the temporal bone has been identified as an asymptomatic radiolucent appearance defect in the temporal bone. Although it occurs very rarely, when present, it may represent the potential for complications following surgical manipulation of the temporomandibular joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The record of 8107 patients who presented to our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery services, between January 1998 and February 2008 was reviewed. Observations were made on the side and radiographic appearance of the PAT; and sex and age of patients. RESULTS: Eighty-three of 8107 (1.03%) individuals had PAT with 41 females and 42 males. PATs were located on the right side in 60 individuals and in the left side in 50 individuals. PATs were unilateral in 56 cases and bilateral in 27 (totally 110 PAT). Forty-four of the PATs were unilocular type, and 66 of the PATs were multilocular type. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of PAT is unnecessary. However if a surgeon who is planning to perform eminoplasty or eminectomy on a patient who has PAT, he/she should be aware of the details of PAT. Moreover, fractures of the temporal bone with PAT can occur easier than temporal bone without PAT.

Transmigrant maxillary canines.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and pattern of transmigrant maxillary canines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 6000 patients who were presented to our oral and maxillofacial surgery services between January 1998 and January 2007 were reviewed. Observations were made as to the right/left localization and number of transmigrant canines; sex and age of patients; retained deciduous canines; and any other associated pathology. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients presented with transmigrated maxillary canines with 6 females (age 15 to 37) and 6 males (age 17 to 57) in 6000 individuals (0.2%). All transmigrant canines were unilateral. The numbers of left and right transmigrant maxillary canines were equal. Ten individuals in 12 patients had not retained deciduous canines. None of these patients had any pathology associated with impacted canines. CONCLUSION: The canine transmigration can occur not only in the mandible but also the maxilla. Further studies are necessary to examine this rare phenomenon to allow classification of transmigrant canines in the maxillary arch. Thus, the incidence, demographic factors, and etiology of this phenomenon can be clarified. How transmigrant maxillary canines pass on the contralateral side of the mid palatal suture must be completely clarified.

Impacted mandibular canines.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of impacted mandibular canines, the associated pathology of these teeth, and to classify them. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 5022 panoramic radiographs taken of patients who presented to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service of the Faculty of Dentistry at Ataturk University in Erzurum, Turkey between January, 1998 and March, 2006. The panoramic radiographs and clinical data were reviewed. Observations were made on the status of missing permanent mandibular canines; retained deciduous canines; side and number of mandibular canines; sex and age of patients; and any other associated pathology or symptoms as well as treatment methods employed. RESULTS: The incidence of mandibular canine impaction is 1.29% in the 5022 individuals of this Turkish subpopulation. A total of 65 patients had impacted mandibular canines with 33 being females and 32 males. In this study 41 impacted mandibular canines were extracted. Twenty-three canines were attached to bonded buttons for orthodontic eruption purposes. After surgical exposure, one impacted canine was transplanted and the others were left in place for observation. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary canine impaction is more frequent than mandibular canine impaction. Mandibular canine impaction incidence in this study was found higher than in the published literature to date. This result may be evidence of an actual increase of the number of impacted mandibular canine teeth among patients.